Friends of the Earth Brisbane
Anti-nuclear Collective      
Mobile:  0413 397 839

Media Release
April 24 2006


'Toxic Bob' evidence why Uranium mining ban in QLD should continue


Friends of the Earth Brisbane questions the significance of Ivanhoe Mines announcement last week, of  a potential “world scale discovery” of a
copper-gold-uranium prospect in North Queensland – believing the announcement to be a political beat up of the  economic reality and a
cynical attempt to influence Labor policy at the ALP state conference.

Fronted by CEO Robert Friedland, colloquially known as 'Toxic Bob', Ivanhoe Mines is conducting mineral exploration in the Mt. Isa region. The
deposits in question, however, are not new and the company’s posturing falls in line with “Toxic Bob’s twenty year record of questionable mining
practices, including hoodwinking the Tasmanian government in to giving him an indemnity from liability for pollution for his Savage River mining
venture in 1996.

Overseas, Friedland’s companies have been linked to massive cyanide spills, mercenaries, and deals with the Burmese military.  Last week,
protesters burnt his effigy in Mongolia.

Friends of the Earth spokesperson, Kim Stewart states: “Friedland’s announcement of an Olympic Dam-like find in Queensland should not only
raise questions about his company’s activities in Queensland, but also the potential impact on Queensland’s embattled water resources.

Olympic Dam currently uses 30 million litres of water a day from the Great Artesian Basin. – and is licensed to take up to 42 million.  Is this the
type of operation we want to promote in drought-worn western Queensland?

"Uranium mining in Queensland can come only at a high cost socially and environmentally to Queenslanders.  Queensland parliamentarians should
think long and hard about whether the consequences of uranium mining are worth the price."

Friends of the Earth Brisbane (FoEB)  is an environmental NGO that campaigns on social justice and sustainability.  FoEB is a member of the
Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance.


Media:
Kim Stewart 0413 397 839
Friends of the Earth Brisbane Anti-nuclear collective